Travel experience: Vadodara to Mumbai in 3AC economy class

After reaching my destination, I decided to travel within the city via the AC Mumbai BEST bus service.

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Introduction

In these times when the preferred mode(s) for inter-city travel is by air or in one’s own car, has anyone attempted a rather unconventional mode of travel in supreme comfort without taking a hit to one’s wallet? Well, here is an account of my travel by a recently introduced class of travel – the 3AC Economy and another mode of local travel that I attempted in Mumbai after many many years. Read on.

How did travel by 3AC Economy happen

I was scheduled to travel to Mumbai to receive someone from overseas at CSIA T2. While travelling solo, I love to experiment with modes that are generally never used, purely for the experience. Morning departures from Vadodara by speedy trains would typically mean travel by the Tejas Express that converts one into a glutton OR in hopeless "un-ergonomic" seats in the Double Decker Express. This time, I decided to travel by a rather unusual class – the recently introduced 3AC Economy. Western Railway has this class featured on just two trains, and one of them viz. the Ajmer Bandra Express was a convenient one to catch for my trip.

Fare difference between the 3AC and 3AC Economy

The fare difference for Vadodara-Mumbai on this train between these two classes was a mere ₹55, and accommodation was available in regular 3AC too, but I still decided to go ahead with my experiment just for the experience.

Journey by 3AC Economy

The train arrived on time and my first impression on getting into the coach was, “Holy cow! This coach looks so full of people”. I couldn’t settle down easily as the middle berth was in position, most of the passengers were snoring away to glory, and it wasn’t until the train pulled out of the station, that there was some light in the coach.

First impressions

Once the train was on the move, I began quietly exploring what was so different about the 3AC Economy coach. The 3AC Economy sports 83 berths against the 72 in 3AC regular.

Likes

• Pleasing interiors
• Circular AC vents (like in the old Maruti Swift) at every berth
• Reading lights and USB ports for charging for every berth
• Roomy door area (call it the lobby if you may)
• Wide doors for entry and exit
• Nice three berther at the end of the coach – family of three can travel in an almost private space
• Foot operated valve to control water at the washbasin; no more juggling between the tap and chullu bhar paani
• Pull type window blinds similar to those in the AC Chair car coaches

Dislikes

• Sliding doors at the cabin – passengers at the ends of the coaches will face disturbances every time the doors are opened
• Inter-row spacing is low; that’s why the 3AC Economy is able to house 83 berths against the 72 in the regular 3AC
• One of the washrooms was flooded due to a leaky faucet
• Plastic bottle holders and mobile holders may not go the distance

What’s missing

• No bedsheets and blankets

The coach "lobby"

Loo for the handicapped

Washbasin sans tap; instructions on the foot-operated valve must be placed next to the water pipe.

Foot-operated valve for wash basin - instructions should be at eye level and not on the trash can cover below.

The 3AC Economy cabin

AC ducts leading to the vents

Vents for individual berths

Reading light, USB port, mobile holder for each berth

Stainless steel grab handles

Folding type bottle holders - may not last long

Legroom - not too good

Private three berther at one end of the cabin; the best place to be in 3AC Economy

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